Central Powers: Formation and Evolution of the Alliance

Presented bachelor thesis describes alliance policy of Great Powers in last quarter of 19th century and in the beginning of 20th century. The thesis examines ways how alliance policy helped to form so-called Central Powers, which later became one of combatant in the upcoming Great War. The thesis sums up and analyse factors which led particular countries into joining the alliance. For this aim I have used international relations theory of realism, which is significant theory throughout 20th century. I have focused on two main groups of countries in my thesis, one of them actually formed Central Powers (Prussia, later Germany; Austria, later Austria-Hungary and Italy), while the other group consists of possible candidate states (United Kingdom and Russia). I have found realism most useful in this context as its main principles (state as most important actor, anarchic essential of international relations, mutually hostile relations between countries) extended with concept of balance of powers by Kenneth Waltz and Stephen Walt follows the way of thinking of 19th century statesmen